Ever Considered a Volunteer Vacation?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend a week or more of your precious holiday time working on projects in a foreign country? Paint a school, teach kids English, plant some trees. Just lend a hand to those who need one. You get to pay your own way, you may not understand the local language, and you get to work.

But you'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at life in a foreign land, away from the glittery resorts. Most likely, you will be off the beaten tourist track, and working with like-minded travelers of all ages from around the world.

Not all projects are in disadvantaged countries. You could decide to work in the U.K. Lake District, or with the wallabies in Queensland, Australia. Nor are you limited to any one part of the world. There are projects available in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Thailand and China, Nepal and Honduras. I know there's more but that's all I can remember for now.

I have friends (both of whom I have visited abroad) who are working for NGOs (non-government organizations) long term in Haiti and Ethiopia and know first hand how challenging and rewarding they find their work. (Click those links for my stories about their work.)

But the rest of us can get a taste of what's involved. All it takes is your holiday time and your money. And believe me, it's money well spent!

Me? I am thinking Peru in the Spring!